Alzheimer's Disease International

Alzheimer's Disease International
Name	Alzheimer's Disease International
Founded	0 1984
Type	Nonprofit
Focus	Alzheimer's disease, dementia
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Paola Barbarino (CEO)
Website	www.alzint.org

Alzheimer's Disease International is the global federation of Alzheimer and dementia associations operating in over 120 countries. It was founded in 1984 and is based in London, working in official relations with the World Health Organization. The organization leads global advocacy and supports capacity building for its member associations to improve care and support for people living with dementia and their families.

History

The organization was established in 1984 following a meeting of several national Alzheimer associations in Washington, D.C., convened by representatives from the Alzheimer's Association (United States) and the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Its founding president was Jerome H. Stone, a prominent American philanthropist and advocate. Early growth was supported by collaborations with institutions like the World Health Organization and the United Nations. Key milestones include launching the first World Alzheimer's Day in 1994 and the inaugural World Alzheimer Report in 2009.

Mission and objectives

The core mission is to strengthen and support Alzheimer associations worldwide, emphasizing the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers. Primary objectives include advocating for dementia as a global public health priority within forums like the World Health Assembly and the G7. It seeks to reduce stigma through public awareness campaigns and promotes the implementation of national dementia plans, as outlined in the WHO Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia. A central goal is fostering equitable access to care and support across all nations.

Activities and programs

Key activities include organizing the annual Alzheimer's Disease International Conference, which rotates between global regions like Asia, Europe, and the Americas. It runs capacity-building programs such as the Alzheimer University to train staff from member associations. The organization leads global awareness campaigns for World Alzheimer's Month and supports research initiatives, often in partnership with entities like University College London and the London School of Economics. It also facilitates the development of support groups and helplines through its member network.

World Alzheimer Report

The annual World Alzheimer Report is a flagship publication, first released in 2009. Each edition focuses on a critical theme, such as the economics of dementia, diagnosis, or post-diagnostic support. The reports are produced in collaboration with leading academic institutions, including King's College London and the Karolinska Institutet. These influential documents are used to inform policy by bodies like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and governments worldwide, providing data to advocate for increased investment in dementia care and research.

Member associations

The federation comprises over 120 national Alzheimer and dementia associations, including well-established members like Alzheimer's Society (UK), Alzheimer's Australia, and Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia. It supports the formation of new associations in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Member associations benefit from shared resources, training, and participation in global advocacy efforts, creating a unified voice at international events like the G8 Dementia Summit and meetings of the World Health Organization.

Governance and structure

The organization is governed by an elected Board of Directors representing its global membership, with a secretariat headquartered in London. The Chief Executive Officer is Paibul Wattanavitukul. Key committees, such as the Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel, include experts from institutions like the Mayo Clinic and University of Toronto. It operates under a constitution ratified by members at its annual general meeting, often held during the Alzheimer's Disease International Conference. Strategic direction is aligned with initiatives like the WHO Global Dementia Observatory.

Category:Alzheimer's disease organizations Category:International medical and health organizations Category:Organizations based in London